Swashbuckling, exciting, and winning! That was West Ham last season, so what could possibly go wrong this season? Well moving to a new stadium for a start. Buying mediocre players for inflated prices for another. Injuries, poor form, but worst of all, low morale. One thing we had last season, apart from players on top of their form, was great team spirit. But there were signs that the wheels were coming off the wagon towards the end of last season. Luckily we beat Man United in the last game of the season, but even then defeat looked more likely, I think we can turn this round, but Bilic needs to sort out the defence and quickly. Otherise the 2002/3 season looks like repeating itself.

Let's be realistic last season exceeded everyone's expectations and with BFS departure most were expecting a mid-table finish with the hope of better football to watch.

We did more than but everything suggests rather than a team that was progressing as a part a planned evolution, it was more a case of some good new signings lifting the level of those already at the club to gain success, so the likelihood was that if not repeated over this summer in our recruitment we might start seeing limitations of some of our players again, sadly with our poor transfer dealings not only are we seeing how limited some of our players are again we have added to them some equally limited players so yes by doing that this is always going to be a tough season.

Stadium move responsible for poor form? No. Playing on a larger pitch? Yes. Up the fitness and stamina training. Other teams seem to close us down when we are in possession as they seem fitter and more aggressive. Watford being a case in point.

HairyHammer
2:24 Tue Sep 27Re: This was always going to be a tough season

I think most of us knew it was not going to be plain sailing but the wheels coming off so soon is a shock.

Somehow we have to get back on track, I just hope nothing needs healing regarding Bilic and the players .

Lily Hammer
2:49 Mon Sep 26Re: This was always going to be a tough season

* how we WON

Lily Hammer
2:47 Mon Sep 26Re: This was always going to be a tough season

Sniper 2:16 Mon Sep 26

Sticking everyone behind the ball was how we one at Arsenal and Man City, with the big difference being the quality of players and their style of breaking away, mostly Payet and Lanzini, who were underestimated for the first half of the season. The other big difference was back then we had a fit and eager Sakho chasing down defences and keepers non stop.

Now we're stuck with second rate low confidence strikers and the whole league plans to muzzle our quality players. Until the rest of the team find a way to benefit from the over-commitment oppo teams make on our best players, we will struggle.

I don't buy the 'we were never a pushover in defence' under allardyce crap. Even in a season where we set records for most cleans sheets we averaged conceding over 2 goals against in the other games so we basically stuck everyone behind the ball and then when we wnent behind and had to try getting back in the game, we conceded more. Stellar work

Lertie Button
1:15 Mon Sep 26Re: This was always going to be a tough season

We should have made some decent signings and Bilic figure out a plan B, fuck me if fans saw these problems comming, how come the club didn't

Agreed LH, Bilic's style of play was a breath of fresh air after Allardyce, but give Sam his due, we were never a pushover in defence under him, but we all tired of the long ball tactics. As you say, clubs have wised up to Payet and Lanzini.

Lily Hammer
12:26 Mon Sep 26Re: This was always going to be a tough season

Alex V, to be fair to him, posted after a month or two last season that we would not be able to sustain the way we were winning, as we were scoring from very few attempts while soaking up loads of pressure. Think Man City and Arsenal away. On other days, we could have lost those games 4-2, but we defended like heroes.

After Arsenal, Bilic complimemted Allardyce's legacy of defensive know how that was in the squad.

I feel now, we have lost alot of that know how, mixed with the fact that everyone knows about Payet and Lanzini now, and set up accordingly, we are struggling.

penners28
12:26 Mon Sep 26Re: This was always going to be a tough season

lars BOHINEN

Northern Sold
12:26 Mon Sep 26Re: This was always going to be a tough season

so what could possibly go wrong this season?

Errr... we moved into a non football stadium... here to help... next ?

Terrywait
12:24 Mon Sep 26Re: This was always going to be a tough season

Thanks Lars, very insightful....

Dr Moose
12:24 Mon Sep 26Re: This was always going to be a tough season

Need to stop blaming the stadium move, its happened, get over it. People have a choice go and support the team at the new stadium or stay at home. Bleating on about wanting to go back to Upton Park is not going to happen.